Improvement in manufacture of alloys of aluminium



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

JAMES S. HOWARD, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO FRANK Cr.BATES, OF SAME PLACE; SAID BATES ASSIGNOR OF TWO- THIRDS OF HIS RIGHT TOTHOMAS CUNNINGHAM, LUCIAN BROWN, GEORGE BROWN, HORATIO B. LINCOLN, FRANKP. PENDLETON, AND HERMAN Cr. CUNNINGHAM, TRADING AS JAMES SMITH 85 CO.,ALSO OF SAME PLACE-ONE-NINTH TO EACH.

IMPROVEMENT IN MANUFACTURE OF ALLOYS oF ALUMINIUM.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 220,149, datedSeptember 3t), 1879; application filed April 1, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs SPooNER How- ARD, of Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in theManufacture of Alloys of which aluminium forms apart, of which thefollowing is aspecification.

My invention consists of the economical mode described hereinafter ofmaking alloys of which aluminium forms a part.

I first make a preparation consisting of alum and carbonate of soda bydissolving the former in hot water, then adding the soda, and finallypermitting the water to evaporate.

If an aluminium bronze of which copper and zinc form parts has to bemade, I melt the copper in an appropriate crucible, and while it is in amolten condition I add the above preparation and oxide of zinc, and mixthem thoroughlywith the molten copper, after which the crucible isclosed and the application of heat continued.

This mixing of the contents of the crucible maybe continued about half aminute, after which a cover should be placed on the crucible, or thecontents of the crucible may be stirred through an opening in the cover,so as to prevent, as far as possible, the escape of gases and vapors. I

The time taken to produce an alloy in a proper condition to be cast intoingots will vary from fifteen to twentyfive minutes, ac-

. cording to the proportions and character of the ingredients, thedegree of heat employed, and other circumstances.

In order to determine when the alloy isin a proper conditioml raise thecover of the crucible from time to time, and if I find that the alloy isin a very fluid state the'crucible may be removed from the furnace. It Ifind, however, that the mass is in a thick semi-fluid condition, it isan indication that it must be subjected to heat for some time longer.

The proportionoi the ingredients used will vary in accordance withthedesired character and color of the alloy.

For an alloy of deep gold color, for instance, I have used one pound ofthe above compound of alum and soda, six ounces of oxide of zinc, withtwo pounds of Lake Superior copper.

It is not necessary that the zinc which forms a part of this alloyshould be introduced in the condition of an oxide. Metallic zinc in thedesired proportion may, for instance, be introduced into the cruciblecontaining the melted copper and the preparation of alum and soda.

An alloy of copper and aluminium may be made by simply mixing the saidpreparation with melted copper and subjecting the mixture to heat. asdescribed above; but I have found in practice that the addition of zinc,either in the form of an oxide or metal, even it the proportion of zincbe very small, produces a more peifect alloy than when the zinc isomitted.

An alloy of copper, tin, and aluminium may i cess may be varied as thedesired product may suggest. Metals other than these referred to may beadded to the copper, or nickel may be added to white alloys when abrilliant surface is desired.

I claim as my invention- The mode described of producing aluminiumalloys, the said mode consisting in introducing a preparation of alumand carbonate of soda or equivalent alkali into the molten metals, ormetals with which the aluminium has to be alloyed, and subjecting themixture to beat, all substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES SPOONER HOWARD.

\Vitnesses HENRY Howson, J r., HARRY SMITH.

